Being humble is not adopting the position of a doormat to be walked all over by other people. If you treat others like that, or others treat you like that, neither are expressions of anything approaching humility. Of course we do need healthy boundaries in our life to prevent this situation occurring, both to and from us.
In many ways, humility is the opposite of pride. Have you ever thought what genuine kingdom humility would like for you?
Where does humility come from?
Humility comes from:
Being secure in who God says you are.
Having Holy Spirit alive and free inside us.
Not having an inflated ego.
Realising that significance and maturity are the result of God’s grace.
Having a tender heart that wants to love on others (even when they are out of order).
Pride and arrogance being eradicated.
Jesus life on Earth was characterised by humility from birth (a cowshed) to burial (a borrowed tomb).
If His obedience to the Father required Him to adopt a posture of humility, how much more does this apply to us his followers!
Jesus set the example
He reduced Himself to the form of a servant and became human. He humbled himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man. (Phil 2: 7-8)
Learn My ways and discover that I am gentle, humble and easy to please. (Matthew 11:29)
Jesus encourages His followers to be humble
Whoever continually humbles themselves like a child is the greatest one in heaven’s kingdom realm.
(Matthew 18: 4)
God resists you when you are proud but multiples grace and favour when you are humble. (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
Let humility describe who you are as you love one another. (1 Peter 3: 8)
If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will, in time, exalt you as you leave the timing in His hands.
(1 Peter 5: 6)
Jesus sometimes chose to remain silent as a demonstration of humility. He didn’t feel the need to defend or justify himself against accusation or slander. How would you feel in such a situation? How often do we find the urge to justify ourselves, our actions, our doctrine or our reputation? Is it difficult to leave our vindication and its timing to God?
It takes godly strength and character to adopt humility in our thoughts, deeds and relationships; but in collaboration with Holy Spirit, it is an attainable goal!
– Navigator Jo
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Read also: Who Are You?
